Gary Lineker says 'it's great to be here' on BBC football return

Gary Lineker has said "it's great to be here" as he returned to fronting BBC football coverage following his suspension last week.

Co-presenter Alan Shearer welcomed Lineker back and said last week "was a really difficult situation for everyone concerned".

"It's good to get back to some sort of normality," he added.

Lineker was pulled from air following an impartiality row over comments he made criticising the government's new asylum policy.

The move sparked a backlash, with pundits and commentators, including Shearer, walking out in support of the Match of the Day host.

Lineker won't be hosting Match of the Day on Saturday evening as he was already scheduled to present the BBC's live coverage of Manchester City v Burnley in the FA Cup.

18 March 2023